The Righteous Lives By Faith Series

Gal 3:10-14 The Righteous Lives By Faith

10For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.

The timing of our study of Galatians is so divine.

• Coming TUE 31 Oct is Reformation Day – the day we remember how Martin Luther nailed the 95 theses on the church door initiating a return to the Gospel in 1517.

• And here we are studying this portion of the book of Galatians reminding ourselves that justification is by faith and that our salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and for the glory of God alone. All that the Reformation symbolises.

That’s the Gospel. There is no other. It is the only Gospel that saves.

• Paul has to preach it again to the Galatians because of the confusion and distortions brought in by the false teachers.

• He was determined to explain it at length because that’s the only Gospel that can change lives - a Gospel based on faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross.

Paul says later in Rom 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

• Our new life did not come from the works of the Law but from faith in Christ.

• It is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, that we are justified.

• It is entirely the work of God and Christ, and for the glory of God alone; no human merit and no human contribution whatsoever.

In the previous section, Paul emphasizes the need for FAITH in what God has done.

• Today he continues on the same subject but addresses it from the other side - the perspective of the Law.

• It is futile to rely on WORKS to earn God’s favour and seek salvation.

• Why? Because CHRIST has taken our place and paid the price for our redemption.

Just like to share with you these THREE points today:

? The IMPORTANCE OF FAITH - Life Change Can Only Comes Through Faith

? The FUTILITY OF WORKS - Self-Efforts Can Only Prove That We Are Sinners

? The SUFFICIENCY OF CHRIST – Only the Sinless Christ Can Redeem Us Fully

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1. IMPORTANCE OF FAITH - Life Change Comes Through Faith

FAITH is the thrust of the last week’s section. We are justified by faith alone.

• Paul asked a series of questions (3:1-4) to get them to think about their changed lives.

• Did the change come from faith in the Gospel or their works?

• If they are born again, then why are they returning to the works of the Law?

• If even your forefather Abraham was counted as righteous because of faith – foreseeing what God would do in Christ – then why are you seeking righteousness somewhere else?

• Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” (3:6) EVEN BEFORE there was the Law – no Law for him to obey – then why are you returning to it?

That was last week’s message: Have FAITH in Jesus Christ.

• We can saved and changed by FAITH in Christ. There is no other way.

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In today’s text, Paul turns from talking about their SUBJECTIVE experience to the OBJECTIVE truth of God’s Word.

• The OT Scriptures also point to Christ and not to the Law! Our salvation did not and can never come from our obedience to the Law.

2. FUTILITY OF WORKS - Self-Efforts Can Only Prove That We Are Sinners

Paul challenged the Jewish legalists to look at the Scriptures again and understand what God has said. It points to FAITH in Christ because “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Paul quoted from a couple of OT references:

• 3:10 – For it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” (Deut 27:26)

• 3:11 – For “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4)